Browns' first pick Richardson to see specialist

In this Jan. 9, 2012, file photo, Alabama running back Trent Richardson runs against LSU during the second half of the BCS National Championship college football game in New Orleans. The NFL draft begins Thursday, April, 26, 2012, with the first round and runs through Saturday. Five members of the Alabama team could be potentially be drafted in the first round, including Richardson, who is expected to go in the top six picks. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Trent Richardson's ailing left knee may be more seriously injured than the Cleveland Browns thought.

The team issued a one-sentence statement Wednesday saying that the running back, picked No. 3 overall in April's draft, will see a specialist on Thursday.

The statement says: "Trent Richardson is traveling to Pensacola, Fla., where he will have his left knee further evaluated by Dr. James Andrews tomorrow."

Richardson had arthroscopic surgery on the knee Feb. 3, which caused him to miss some portions of the NFL combine before the draft.

Nevertheless, Cleveland (No. 30 in the AP Pro32) traded up to select Richardson, who helped Alabama win a national championship last season. The Browns signed him to a four-year, $20.5 million contract.

Richardson had impressed coaches in camp but he missed practice Tuesday, when he wore a protective wrap on his leg.

Since returning to the NFL in 1999 as an expansion team, the Browns have had more than their share of misfortune with first-round picks.

Quarterback Tim Couch, picked No. 1 overall in 1999, got battered and bruised in three lackluster seasons. Injuries to his hand and throwing arm contributed to his demise.

Defensive end Courtney Brown, the No. 2 choice overall in 2000, never got into a groove because of a series of leg injuries. Then came running back William Green, who was in scrapes with the law and got stabbed by his fiance. A few years later, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., missed an entire season after a motorcycle crash.

Last year's top choice, defensive lineman Phil Taylor, is currently recovering from surgery for a torn pectoral muscle and won't be available until midseason.

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